§329 Incentive Bonus: Retired Members and Reserve Component Members Volunteering for High-demand, Low-density Assignments

Summary

The Secretary of Defense can pay a bonus of up to $50,000 to a retired or former member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, or to a reserve member not on active duty, if that person signs a written agreement to return to active duty for a set time in a high-need or other critical military job. The bonus can be paid when the member starts active duty or in yearly payments chosen by the Secretary. The Secretary can also create other incentives, but must use a written agreement for them and send a report to the congressional defense committees at least 30 days before first offering a new incentive (the committees are defined in section 101(a)(16) of title 10). The bonus or incentive is extra pay on top of any regular pay. A member who gets one cannot be promoted while doing the covered assignment. If the member does not finish the agreed time, they must repay under the rules in section 303a(e). The Secretary may write rules to run the program. No new agreements can be made after December 31, 2010. High-demand, low-density military capability: a combat, support, or job area the Secretary finds seriously short of people, equipment, or money for needed missions.